Safety and efficacy of the modified peroral endoscopic myotomy with shorter myotomy for achalasia patients: a prospective study

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been developed as a minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for achalasia for years. However, the optimal length of submucosal tunnel and myotomy of muscle bundles during procedure of POEM has not yet been determined, so we aim to assess safety and efficacy of modified POEM with shorter myotomy of muscle bundles in achalasia patients. Consecutive achalasia patients had been performed modified POEM with shorter myotomy, and assessed by symptoms, high‐resolution manometry, and barium swallow examinations before and 3 months after POEM for safety and efficacy evaluation. Modified POEM with shorter submucosal tunnel (mean length 6.8 cm) and endoscopic myotomy of muscle bundles (total mean length 5.4 cm) were completed in 46 consecutive achalasia patients. During the 3‐month follow up in all cases, significant improvement of symptoms (a significant drop in the Eckardt score 8.4 ± 3.2 vs. 2.7 ± 1.9; P < 0.001), decreased lower esophageal sphincter pressure (39.4 ± 10.1 vs. 24.4 ± 9.1 mmHg; P < 0.001) and integrated relaxation pressure (38.6 ± 10.4 vs. 25.7 ± 9.6 mmHg; P < 0.01), and a drop in height of esophagus barium‐contrast column (5.4 ± 3.1 vs. 2.6 ± 1.8 cm; P < 0.001) were observed. The frequencies of adverse events were lower in those under endotracheal anesthesia and CO₂ insufflations compared with intravenous anesthesia and air insufflations. Only three patients were found to have gastroesophageal reflux disease on follow up. Modified POEM with shorter myotomy under endotracheal anesthesia and CO₂ insufflations shows its good safety and excellent short‐term efficacy in the treatment of achalasia. But further studies are warranted to assess the long‐term efficacy.